'Anata-Shu'afat, Abu Dis, Container (Wadi Nar), Ras Abu Sbitan (Olive Terminal), Thu 10.5.12, Morning

 

 

 

The corridors are crowded, inspections are routine.

 

 

A truck on which a car is loade, heading for Bethlehem, is detained.  All the soldiers surround it with curiosity, while the rest of the vehicles cross without a second look.  National security is concentrated on one handcuffed driver taken to solitary confinement.  He was offered a chair (because of our presence).  A gloved military policeman climbed onto the truck and began to inspect the car.

A policeman arrived, inspected the car, checked papers, and the driver was taken into the police van.  One of the soldiers drove the truck behind the van.  We have no idea what the driver was suspected of.

 

 

The system of transporting pupils was working at full steam.

 

At the checkpoint itself two female soldiers sit on a chair, checking documents. Checks are swift.  In the crossing for vehicles, it's a matter of luck.  In one lane all the cars are checked, in the other two most vehicles cross without checks.